Advertising device



` .May 30, 1933.

J. H. ALLEN ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed Apri1 l, 1931 Patented May 39, 1933UNTE SFTS PATENT oFiFicE JOSEPH H. ALLE-N, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOR TO INLAND' GLASS WORKS, INC., 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS ADVERTISING DEVICE Application filed April 1,

This invention relates in general to display devices and has moreparticular reference to an illuminated globe or shade particularly welladapted for night advertising, as in shop windows, on store counters,etc. The device, however, is not restricted to interior advertising andin fact may be used outdoors for display purpose, as on the top ofgasoline pumps at filling stations and other outdoor purposes.

In a device of this general character, it is usual to form anadvertisement or other subject matter of display on the lamp shade orglobe in such a way that the same is illuminated in an eye-arrestingmanner, so'that the attention of the casual observer will be attractedto the subject matter of display.

An important obj ect of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe class described wherein advertisement or other subject matter ofdisplay carried by the device may be quickly and easily changed, so asto give the device ready adaptability as an advertising medium.

In globes of this general character heretofore provided, it has beencustomary to form the subject-matter of display permanently on the lampshade, as by painting the sign directly on the glass of which the globeis usually formed, and then fusing the paints into the glass bytreatment. It has also been proposed to permanently paste signs upon thesurface of the globe. In any event the devices heretofore provided haveafforded no means for readily changing the advertisement carried by theglobe, and it is an important object of my present invention to form theglobe so as to detachably receive a sign placard, containing a desireddisplay subjectY matter thereon, so that the placard may be readilydemounted from or assembled in position in the globe.

Another object is to form the advertisement on a cheap sheet material soas to render the signs extremely inexpensive as far as the individualadvertisements are concerned, and hence to expand the utility ofthe'device by making it possible to use the device inexpensively todisplay any number of different advertisements, the changeable featurehaving great advantages where the device is i931. serial no. 526,944.'

used as anadvertising medium. The possibility of employing the device inbringing a desired series or sequence of related advertisementsbeforethe observing public, it is thought, will be understood .by thosefamiliar with the art of advertising.

Another object is to heuse the vadvertising placards within the lampglobe kso thatlthe same may be protected from dust and from dirt, andthe weather, if the device is used outdoors.

Numerous other objects and vadvantages will be understood from thefollowing description, which, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, discloses a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the front elevation of a displaydevice embodyksubject-matter is adapted to be shown. The

lamp shade or globe 11 has a relatively narrow neck 15 in-its lower end,the same being adapted for engagement and support on a standard or vbase17. A light producing source comprising, in the illustrated embodiment,lan incandescent lamp 19 is sup-ported within the globe, asby the socket21 carried by the base V17 andrextending through the neck 15 of theglobe. rlhe flat faces 13 of the globe are preferably defined by innergrooves 23 formed in the globe itself in such a way as to defineinternal pockets 25 on opposite sides of the globe. These pockets areadapted to detachably receive placards27 to hold the same with theirouter faces in contact with the inner surface of the iattened portions13. The flattened portions 13 are also preferably transparent, so that,when the lamp within the globe is illuminated, the display of subjectmatter 28, carried on the placards 27, will be Vclearly visible fromoutside the globe. 10|

eef

will be made visible;

The remaining portions of the globe may be formed of opaque glass.

I am also able to obtain startling effects by slightly frosting theportions 13 behind which the cards are arranged. If the surfaces 13 areslightly frosted, the sign 28y will be quite invisible when the lamp 19is dark, but will easily show through the frosting when the lamp islighted. alternately flashing the lamp on and olf the advertisingsubject inatter 28 contained on the cards 27 may be made to appear anddisappear as if by magic.

The lamp 19 may be flashed by any suitable or convenient means, as by amanually or automatically operating switch inthe power snpply circuitl32. The flasher, however,

vis preferably of the automatic type andmay bebuilt ldirectly into thelamp support base,

'as indicated 'at 33. y

It is also possible to paint or otherwise form, preferably in atransparent medium or light colored pafint,rad`vertising matter 31 inthe Lother surface of the portion 13, so that, when the lamp is 4xonwithin the globe, this additional subject matter of display only will bevisible to the observer.

lAs soon as the light 19 is illuminated, however, the message painted onthe outside of the vsurface 13, being formed in relatively transparentmedia, will become invisible while the sign contained on the placard 27Such a combination is of special 'utility where it is desired topr'esent advertising in the form of questions and answers. lTheattention-getting `questions may be formed 'in transparent media on theouter surface of the display portion 13, so

:that the attention 0f an observer will be drawn to -the device, and theadvertising anstver to the question may be placed on the placard 27within the globe, so that, when the light 19 is illuminated, thelobserver will be presented with the answer to the attentionarrestingquestion, and in this way the de-V sired advertising will be mostsuccessfully presented. Y

It is possible, by using the device hereto- -lfore described, 'to employunique designs in The `application of the placard requires no skill,since it is merely necessary to dem'ount the globe from the standard andsnap the placard in place with its ed-ges lying in the retaining groove23.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendantadvantages `will be clearly understood from the foregoing dej`s`cription, 'and it is 'obvious that lnumerous changes maybe made inthe form, construc- -i tion and arrangement of the several parts withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of my invention or sacrificing any ofits attendant advantages; the form herein described being a preferredembodiment for the purpose of illustrating my invention. i Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is as follow:

1. A display device comprising a glass lamp shade having a translucentldisplay portion means forming subject-matter for :i

display on the outer surface of said lamp shade and integral portions atthe edges of said display portion and forming a groove on the innerAside `of the lamp shade for engaging and retaining the enge of a signcard carrying additional subject-matter for display within ,the lampshade in order te retain the card against the inner side of the displayportion in position to ibe viewed therethrough.

2. A display device comprising a glass envelope having a translucentdisplay portion and an inwardly opening peripheral groove on the innerside of the envelope and bordering the edges of said display portion forengaging Iand retaining the edge of a sign card to lretain, the sam'ewithin the envelope in position behind the'display portion to'be viewedtherethrough;

3. -A display device comprising a glass envelope formed with an inwardlyopening circular groove on the inside of 'the envelope adjacent adisplay portion, behind which a member, carrying subject matter lto bedisplayed, may be mounted in position to be i" jviewed therethrough fromoutside the envelope by engaging the edgesjof the member within thegroove.

,4; A display device comprisinga glass globe having a display portionand means formed in the globe for demountably securing asign-carryingmember carrying indicia for display behind said displayportion,

means forming an outer sign across said 'dis-y play portion in front ofsaid sign-carrying nieinberin position clearly visible from outsideofthe globe when the same is unlighted, said outer sign ,being formed insemi-transparent media whereby when the lglobe is in-- ternallyilluminated the outer sign will seem to disappear and be replaced by thesubjectmatter of display contained in said member, and means forming atranslucent film in iie front'of th'e indicia of the sign-carrying meiniber when mounted behind the display portion, the translucence of thefilm being such 'as to hide th'e indicia of the sign-carrying memberfrom view through the display portion when the globe is not internallyilluinition along one vertical axial plane and a substantially flattenedor ovoidal cross-sectional configuration in another vertical axialplane, said envelope being formed with an inwardly opening annulargroove, on the inside of the envelope and extending in a planesubstantially parallel with the plane of a medial, vertical section ofthe globe, for engaging and retaining the edge of a sign carrying membermounted within the lamp shade in order to secure the member within theshade with its sign-carrying surface against the inner surface of thedisplay portion in position to be viewed therethrough.

6. A display device comprising a glass lamp shade having a translucentdisplay portion, means forming subject-matter for display on the outersurface of said lamp, and integral inwardly extending portions at theedges of said display portion for engaging and retaining the edge of asign card, carrying additional subject-matter for display, within thelamp lamp shade in order to retain the card against the inner surface ofthe display portion in position to be viewed therethrough andintermittently actuated light producing means within the shade.

7. A. display device comprising a glass envelope adapted to contain asource of illumination and having a translucent display portion, meansforming subject matter for display on the outer surface of said envelopeand means forming an integral inwardly opening annular groove in saidenvelope bordering said display portion for engaging and retaining theedge of a sign card carrying additional subject matter for displaywithin the envelope in` position behind the display portion to be viewedtherethrough from outside of the envelope.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOSEPH H. ALLEN.

